Battle of Agincourt

battle_name=Battle of Agincourt

The Campaign

Henry V had invaded France for several reasons. He hoped that by fighting a popular foreign war he would strengthen his position at home; he also hoped that he could improve his financial position by gaining lands in France which would secure him revenue, by taking noble prisoners who would pay ransoms, or by extorting money from the French King in exchange for returning home. The latter tactic is a version of "Danegeld," which English kings had successfully employed before.

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His army landed in Northern France on 13 August 1415 and besieged the port of Harfleur. The siege of Harfleur took longer than expected; the town surrendered on 22 September, and the English army did not leave until 8 October. The campaign season was coming to an end, and the English Army had suffered many casualties through disease. Henry decided to move his army to the port of Calais, the only English stronghold in northern France, where they could re-equip over winter for the campaign season of 1416.

Related Topics:
13 August - 1415 - Harfleur - Siege of Harfleur - 22 September - 8 October - Calais - Stronghold - 1416

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During the siege, the French had been able to call up a large feudal army which d'Albret deployed skilfully between Harfleur and Calais, mirroring the British manoeuvres along the river Somme, thus preventing them from reaching Calais without a major confrontation. The end result was that d'Albret managed to force Henry into fighting a battle that, given the state of his army, he would have preferred to avoid.

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The catastrophic defeat that the French suffered at the Battle of Agincourt allowed Henry to fulfill all his campaign objectives. He was recognised by the French in the Treaty of Troyes (1420) as regent and heir to the French throne. This was cemented by his marriage to Catherine of Valois, the daughter of King Charles VI.

Related Topics:
Treaty of - Troyes - 1420 - Catherine of Valois

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Henry V did not live to inherit the throne of France. In 1422, while securing his position against further French opposition, he died of dysentery at the age 34, 2 months before the death of Charles VI. He was succeeded by his young son, Henry VI, during whose reign the English were expelled from all of France except Calais by French military successes, encouraged by Joan of Arc, under the new French king, Charles VII.

Related Topics:
1422 - Dysentery - Henry VI - Joan of Arc - Charles VII

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